2006-07-10 08:30:03 · 8 answers · asked by Philosophical Fred 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
You are thinking that to know something requires we have a relationship to reality.. and that an idealist never does, by definition.
But an idealist, like Berkeley, defines reality AS the contents of the mind. Esse est percpi, to be is to be perceived. The epistemology shifts from a correspondance picture -- which is the view of Descartes and Locke, to one where there is no objective reality but what is being perceived. If we expereince the tree falling, there is a sound.. if nobody does-- No.
So the terms of reality change, in short, to fit the idealist schema. There is nothing "outside" the mind.
Can an epistemologist be a realist?... is tough. How do you point to reality, without first assuming you know what it is? There are tests, abductions, inductions that confirm consistent patterns--- but that consistency doesn't MEAN that what we think to be veridical is anything other than what we assume, vis. something that is revealed through experimentation.
2006-07-10 11:33:43 · answer #1 · answered by -.- 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is possible.
Let's work with classical definition of Knowledge.
A knows P if and only if:
1. P is true
2. A believes P
3. A is justified in believing P
Let's say i am an idealist and this believe that i cannot experience things directly. Yet i may have some knowledge.
For example I believe that "I exist"
It is also true that "I exist"
And i am justified in believing it because my act of reasoning has just justified to me that "I exist".[1]
Thus even an idealist can achieve SOME knowledge, and thus be an epistemologist.
2006-07-10 19:35:51 · answer #2 · answered by hq3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, why not, they investigate the differences between beliefs and opinions. This does not stop them from having ideals.
In fact through there investigations they may become more idealistic as they have a better idea than most what is possible.
2006-07-10 15:38:34 · answer #3 · answered by dopeysaurus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah
2006-07-10 15:33:16 · answer #4 · answered by Falcone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would the philosophic study of the nature of knowledge stop you being an idealist!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-07-10 15:47:35 · answer #5 · answered by john b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
2006-07-10 15:33:48 · answer #6 · answered by katy g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rofl why not?
2006-07-10 15:34:13 · answer #7 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, why not.
2006-07-11 05:55:42 · answer #8 · answered by Nessie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋